The Hobbit

 By J. R. R. Tolkien    

Junior Fiction

Reviewed by Heidi from the Winkler Branch   

    The Hobbit may be an old book, but it never loses its charm.  Published for the first time in 1937 by JRR Tolkien, it is classified as a Junior Fiction novel, but it is a great read for anyone wanting to live in another world for the weekend.  Hobbits are fictional creatures, little people who live in a place called the Shire, where they like to farm, eat cake, and throw parties.  They never do anything unexpected or go anywhere outside the shire.  The Hobbit follows one such hobbit named Bilbo Baggins.  His life takes a turn when he is hired as a professional burglar for an expedition of great importance.

    This book has become a classic in every sense of the word.  Although some of the language is dated, it feels timeless due to the imaginary nature of the story.  This is a coming-of-age story in a sense, a story about finding oneself and finding the courage to do hard things.  It is about greed, hospitality, adventure, and courage.

Reading options: the classic novel, graphic novel, audiobook, BBC adaptation (found on Libby)

Watch options: The Hobbit Trilogy (on DVD)

To find all the reading/watching options in the catalogue, click here.